United States History - Study Guide
1. Nixon's New Federalism
- A political philosophy that aimed to shift power and resources from the federal government to state and local governments. It sought to decentralize government functions and increase state control over social programs.
2. Nixon's Southern Strategy
- A strategy employed by Nixon to appeal to disaffected Southern white voters by emphasizing states' rights and law and order, often at the expense of civil rights initiatives.
3. Watergate Scandal
- A political scandal involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex, and the subsequent cover-up by Nixon's administration, leading to his resignation in 1974.
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Established in 1970, this federal agency was created to oversee and enforce national pollution control standards and environmental regulations.
5. Clean Air Act 1972
- A comprehensive federal law that regulated air emissions from stationary and mobile sources, aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health.
6. Clean Water Act 1973
- A federal law aimed at restoring and maintaining the integrity of the nation's waters by regulating discharges of pollutants and providing for the protection of water quality.
7. William Buckley (National Review)
- Founder of the conservative magazine "National Review" in 1955, Buckley played a significant role in the conservative movement and political discourse in America.
8. The Religious Right 1980s
- A political movement that emerged in the 1980s, driven by conservative Christian groups who sought to influence public policy and politics through activism on issues like abortion, education, and family values.
9. Reaganomics (Trickle-Down Economics)
- An economic policy adopted by President Reagan that involved tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced government spending, based on the belief that benefits for the wealthy would ultimately "trickle down" to the lower classes.
10. New Jersey v. T.L.O. 1985
- A landmark Supreme Court case that determined the constitutionality of searches of students in public schools, establishing a lower standard of probable cause ("reasonable suspicion") for school searches compared to standard criminal searches.
11. Vernonia School District v. Acton 1995
- Supreme Court case that upheld the random drug testing of student athletes, ruling that the school's interest in preventing drug use outweighed the students' Fourth Amendment rights.
12. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
- A nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of older Americans, focusing on issues such as healthcare, retirement planning, and social security.
13. Apartheid
- A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 until the early 1990s.
14. Persian Gulf War
- A conflict that took place from 1990 to 1991 when a coalition led by the United States intervened to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation following Iraq's invasion.
15. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- An agreement enacted in 1994 facilitating trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico by reducing tariffs and eliminating trade barriers.
16. World Trade Organization (WTO)
- An international organization established in 1995 that regulates global trade, ensuring that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
17. Tiananmen Square
- A site of pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China, in 1989, which ended violently when the government cracked down on demonstrators, leading to international condemnation.
18. Family and Medical Leave Act
- A 1993 law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for family and medical reasons, including the birth of a child or caring for a seriously ill family member.
19. 1994 Contract with America
- A legislative agenda proposed by the Republican Party during the 1994 midterm elections, outlining a series of conservative reforms and policies to be enacted if they gained control of Congress.
20. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- A 1996 law that established standards for the protection of health information, ensuring patients' rights to privacy and securing their medical records.
21. National Rifle Association (NRA)
- A nonprofit organization founded in 1871 that advocates for gun rights and the protection of the Second Amendment, actively participating in political lobbying and education.
22. NARAL Pro-Choice America
- An organization dedicated to protecting and advancing reproductive rights and ensuring access to abortion services, originally known as the National Abortion Rights Action League.
23. National Right to Life Committee (NRLC)
- A nonprofit organization focused on opposing abortion and euthanasia while promoting a pro-life agenda in the legislative and political arenas.
24. Oklahoma City Bombing 1995
- A domestic terrorist attack carried out by Timothy McVeigh, targeting a federal building, resulting in the deaths of 168 people and leading to increased scrutiny of domestic terrorism.
25. Bill Clinton Impeachment (Monica Lewinsky Scandal)
- In 1998, President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice related to his extramarital affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, although he was acquitted by the Senate.
This study guide provides key points for each topic and should help in understanding significant events and concepts in U.S. history relevant to American socio-political development.
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